Candida guilliermondii cells were immobilized in Ca-alginate beads and used for xylitol production from concentrated sugarcane bagasse hydrolysate. A full factorial design was employed to determine whether variations in the immobilization conditions would have any effects on the beads, chemical stability and on the xylitol production rates. Duplicate fermentation runs were carried out in 125-mL Erlenmeyer flasks maintained in a rotatory shaker at 30 degrees C and 200 rpm for 72 h. Samples were periodically analyzed to monitor xylose and acetic acid consumption, xylitol production, free cell growth, and bead solubilization. Concentrations of sodium alginate at 20.0 g/L and calcium chloride at 11.0 g/L and bead curing time of 24 h represented the most appropriate immobilization conditions within the range of conditions tested.